A coalition of local and international Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has issued a pressing call to President Bola Tinubu, demanding an immediate halt to all divestment requests from International Oil Corporations (IOCs) in the Niger Delta. This coalition includes prominent organizations concerned about the environmental and social ramifications of ongoing divestment processes, particularly those involving Shell, TotalEnergies, and ENI.
During a recent press briefing, representatives from these organizations expressed grave concerns regarding the potential consequences of allowing IOCs to divest without addressing their historical environmental liabilities. The coalition has specifically highlighted Shell's proposed sale of its remaining shares in the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to the Renaissance consortium as a critical issue that could exacerbate existing challenges in the region.
The Niger Delta has suffered decades of pollution due to oil extraction activities, resulting in contaminated water sources, degraded soil, and loss of biodiversity. These environmental damages have severely impacted local communities’ health and livelihoods.
Past divestments by IOCs have often left local communities with unresolved pollution issues and inadequate remediation efforts. The coalition argues that allowing Shell and other companies to divest without fulfilling their environmental responsibilities would set a dangerous precedent and undermine Nigeria's sovereignty.
The coalition warns that approving these divestments could lead to increased social unrest in the Niger Delta. Communities have long fought for justice regarding environmental degradation and human rights abuses linked to oil extraction. Ignoring these concerns would be an affront to generations who have struggled for environmental justice.